We at Sip & Savor commend the Senate for its bipartisan passage of the “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act,” providing funding for federal child nutrition programs for 10 years.
Our member companies have long been committed to the health and wellness of our nation’s children and we believe schools are very special places.
We already have changed the beverage landscape in America’s schools by slashing beverage calories shipped to schools by 88 percent since 2004. We have removed full-calorie soft drinks and replaced them with more lower-calorie, nutritious and smaller-portion beverage options.
Our voluntary School Beverage Guidelines allow 100 percent juice, low-fat milk and bottled water in elementary and middle schools. Diet beverages and calorie-capped sports drinks, flavored waters and teas are allowable additions for high schools. These guidelines are having a meaningful impact on America’s school children.
So, as another school year begins, we are proud to be doing our part and we look forward to the next steps toward the child nutrition bill becoming law.